About Srinagar

Srinagar is the heart of the Kashmir Valley, still preserves the imprints of the Mughals and the British. The valley takes great pride in its lakes, gardens and the charming rows of houseboats floating on them. Popular for traditional Kashmiri handicrafts, kashmiri clothes and dry fruits, Srinagar is bordered by five districts. To its northern side is Kargil, in the south is Pulwama and in the north-west lies Budgam. "If there is a heaven on earth, it's here, it's here, it's here", exclaimed the Mughal emperor Jahangir on his first visit to this place.

Srinagar has the privilege of having a multifaceted and unique cultural blend, making it different from the rest of the country, not only from the cultural front, but in point of geography, demography, ethics and social entities. as well. With its beautiful picturesque Himalayan backdrop, the crowning glory of hill stations Srinagar is enticed by the colourful houseboats , shikaras and the grandeur of Mughal sense of style.

Sri means Lakshmi or wealth and ‘nagar’ a city. The summer capital of J&K State, Srinagar city has a vital role in the history of Kashmir. For this reason, Persian chronicles call it Shehr-e-Kashmir or 'City of Kashmir'.

HISTORY

Founded by the King Pravarasena II over 2,000 years ago, Srinagar owes its name to two Sanskrit words, Sri (meaning profusion and wealth) and Nagar, (meaning a city). Dating back to the 3rd century BC, the city was formerly a part of the Mauryan Empire, which once happened to be one of the most important empires of India. This region prospered quite well under the rule of the Kushans in the 1st century AD. During this period, it used to be an important Buddhist pilgrimage site. In the 6th century, however, it became a part of the kingdom of Vikramaditya, the ruler of Ujjain. Local Hindu rulers ruled it until the 14th century, when Muslims rulers invaded and captured it. With the downfall of the Mughal Empire the fortunes of the area swung dramatically. In 1814, it went to the Sikhs, when Ranjit Singh got the better of the Pathans. However, ultimately the British defeated Ranjit Singh and in accordance with the treaty of Lahore in 1846, they appointed Gulab Singh as the autonomous ruler of Kashmir. Later, Hari Singh, the great grandson of Gulab Singh, united this huge state into India in 1948, when the Pathan intruders from Pakistan tried to capture this state.

GEOGRAPHY

Location:34°5?23?N 74°47?24?E

Highest temperature:37 °C (99 °F); lowest ?14 °C (6.8 °F)

The city is located on both the sides of the Jhelum River, which is called Vyath in Kashmir. The river passes through the city and meanders through the valley, moving onward and deepening in the Wular Lake. The city is famous for its nine old bridges, connecting the two parts of the city.

TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS

The valley of Kashmir, in which Srinagar is located, is also referred to as being a heaven on earth. The Mughal emperor Jahangir was so captivated by the beauty of this valley that he exclaimed

"Gar firdaus, ruhe zamin ast, hamin asto, 

hamin asto, hamin asto"

 (If there is a heaven on earth, it's here, it's here, it's here)

There are a number of tourist places in and around Srinagar.

THE MUGHAL GARDENS

With terraced lawns, cascading fountains, paint-box-bright flowerbeds with the panorama of the Dal in front of them - the three Mughal Gardens of Chesmashahi, Nishat and Shalimar are the Mughal Emperors' concept of paradise and are today very popular places for picnics and excursions. The beauty of these gardens is at their best during spring but the Mughal structure of these gardens lends them a unique sense of beauty even when the flowers are not blossoming.

NISHAT GARDEN

Nishat Bagh, also known as the garden of joy, is a terraced Mughal garden sprawled along the eastern side of the Dal Lake, with the towering Zabarwan hills as its backdrop, in the city of Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir. The second largest Mughal garden in the Kashmir Valley, it is eclipsed only by the Shalimar Bagh, which also lies on the banks of the Dal Lake.
The aptly named ‘garden of joy' is truly a sight to behold, designed by Asaf Khan, on the orders of Mughal Emperor Jahangir, as a token of love for his wife Nur Jahan, the sister of Asaf Khan; also to serve as a place of leisure and reminiscence. Widely considered to be a master class of Mughal horticulture, the garden teems with rarely seen species of flowering plants, complete with lengthy alleyways lined with Chinar and cypress trees. Fondly named as the Garden Farah Baksh or the ‘Bestower of Pleasure’ by Emperor Jahangir, the garden also came to be known as Faiz Baksh, afterwards.
Nishat Bagh has surprisingly remained intact since its construction in 1619. A garden that has stayed true to its Persian heritage, with its panorama on lines of the Islamic garden layout, the place is spread over 32 acres of flat land, its rectangular shape sculpted into 3 terraces containing pools of flowing water. Wondrous to watch is the flow of water from the higher terrace pool to the lower one, sashaying down as a resplendent waterfall. Every pool has multiple water-fountains lined-up in the centre, outlined by rows of Chinar trees and walk-ways running in tandem with the pool. The source of water is the central water-canal ‘Shah Nahar’, fed as it is by a mile long canal drawing water from the Dal Lake.
Each of the three floors of the terrace has its own specialty, the first one containing a public audience hall with a black marble throne conveniently placed at the centre. The second terrace houses the ‘Diwan-e-khaas’, originally meant for the Emperor’s conversations with his nobles. The third terrace is characterised by two small stone-pavilions for the royal harem, surrounded by the splendorous Zenana Gardens, which also contain a black-marble pavilion called the Baradari.

DAL LAKE

The Dal Lake is unique for its beauty that lies in its pulsating surroundings, since it sustains a life on waters not found anywhere else in the world. The houseboat and Shikara communities have survived on the Dal for centuries and every thing is found on and nearby the houseboats including doctors, tailors and bakers in tiny wooden shops on the lake.

HARI PARBAT

Crowned to greatness by the ruins of a fort, the Hari Parbat hill, according to legends, grew out of pebble stones dropped by Parvati the Hindu Goddess while trying to defeat a demon. Though today it is no more than rubble, the thick massive wall around the fort is an imposing evidence of a historic past. Over the centuries, the vicinity of the hill has seen several temples being erected in the name of its past glory.Hari Parbat is located on the boundary of Srinagar city. This is an ancient and one of the most religious places in the state of Kashmir. This place is considered to be the abode of Mahashakti (the Divine Mother Jagatamba Sharika Bhagwati). This goddess is also called as Rajrajeshwari or Maha Tripursundhari. Locally, people refer to this goddess by the name ‘hari.’

PARI MAHAL

(Palace of Fairies), Pari Mahal was initially a garden founded by Dara Shiko, Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan's eldest son for his Sufi teacher, Mulla Shah. Once dotted with numerous springs, which have dried up now, the Pari Mahal gardens are now the treasure possession of the state. Pari Mahal is bedazzling with radiant lights at night, and though located on the spur of a hill, can he seen from most places in Srinagar. Pari Mahal, once a Buddhist monastery, was converted into a school of astrology by Dara Shikoh.Once punctuated wth several springs that have since dried up, the Pari Mahal gardens are now the pride of the state. Pari Mahal is illuminated at night, and can he seen, located on the spur of a hill, from most places in Srinagar.

SHANKARACHARYA MANDIR

One of the most revered Hindu pilgrimage destinations in Srinagar, the Shankaracharya Temple is located atop a hill known as ‘Takht-e-Suleiman’. The ancient temple stands at a height of about 1100 feet above the surface level of the main Srinagar city. A visit to this sacred temple involves a trek to the top of the hills.
Devoted to the worship of Lord Shiva, Shankaracharya Temple is believed to have been built by Raja Gopadatya in 371 BC. During those times, the temple was known as Gopadri. The great saint Shankaracharya is supposed to have stayed here when he visited Kashmir in the early part of the ninth century with the primary aim of spreading the philosophy of Vedanta. This perhaps led to the renaming of the temple as Shankaracharya Temple. Shankaracharya was also instrumental in popularizing the worship of Lord Shiva in Jammu and Kashmir.
Shankaracharya Temple is a monument of great significance, not only because of its religious importance, but also for its architectural beauty. A high octagonal platform supports the temple structure, reached by a flight of around hundred steps. The sidewalls of the steps are believed to have once bore valuable inscriptions.
An inscription in Persian inside the Shankaracharya Temple dates back to the reign of Mughal Emperor Shahjahan.
Shankaracharya temple, as it stands today, has undergone several renovations in its lifetime. The first of these is believed to have been done during the rule of Lalitaditya. Later, more repair work was done by Zain-ul-Abideen, after the temple got damaged in an earthquake.
The main surviving shrine of Shankaracharya Temple consists of a circular cell, providing a breathtaking view of the valley below. The inner chamber, after being renovated, is presently covered with a modern ceiling.

HAZRATBAL SHRINE

Kashmir offers you an opportunity to explore the sacred Muslim pilgrimage destination of the Hazratbal shrine that is situated on the banks of the Dal Lake in Srinagar opposite Nishat Bagh. Travel to this shrine can be a special experience as the Prophet Mohammad's (SAW) hair, that is the Moi-e-Muqqadus (SAW), is preserved in this shrine. The history of this shrine dates back to the seventeenth century. The Hazratbal shrine is a marble structure that was specifically constructed by Muslim Auqaf Trust with the objective of preserving the Prophet's (SAW) hair, this piece of hair (SAW) arrived in Kashmir in the year 1699.
The fame of the Hazratbal in Srinagar lies in its association with a strand of Prophet Mohammad’s (SAW) hair known as Moi-e-Muqqadus (SAW). This story is also equally interesting. When the hair came to Kashmir during the rule of Aurangzeb in 1699, then at first it was preserved at shrine of Naqshband Sahib. But the shrine was small and therefore not capable of every day handling of the huge crowd that thronged to visit the Prophet’s (SAW) hair. Therefore, Aurangzeb ordered the strand of hair to be preserved at the Hazratbal shrine at Srinagar.
The Hazratbal shrine lies at a distance of 25 kilometers from the Badgam district in Srinagar, Kashmir. This pilgrimage destination is known by a number of names viz. the Assar-e-Sharif, Madinat-us-Sani and the Dargah Sharif. Mughal emperor Shahjahan's brother constructed the Ishrat Mahal at the site of the shrine sometime in the year 1623, later when the emperor himself visited the site he ordered the place to be converted into a prayer house. The shrine as such was built by the Muslim Auqaf trust. Before the Hazratbal shrine was constructed the sacred hair was placed in the shrine of Naqshband Sahib. The architecture of the shrine is a combination of Mughal and traditional Kashmiri.
The Moi-e-Muqqadus (SAW) is usually on public display inside a glass casket on certain sacred and holy days. The most important among these is the Shab-e-Meraj.

NAGIN LAKE

Nagin Lake It has some of the most luxurious deluxe houseboats. This area is preferred by people looking for calm and quiet environment. For this reason, foreigners find it more interesting to stay at Nagin Lake. The Lake is approachable by road through the old city and fore-shore Road alongside the Dal Lake. Shikara ride in this placid lake is a memorable experience.

WATER SKIING IN SRINAGAR LAKE

In Srinagar water skiing is a favorite sport among tourists during summer. Motor launches with ski boards are available on hire. During the winter season, migratory birds float in the lake making it a magnificent scene. Srinagar lake offers splendid colours and moods with every change in the weather that mesmerizes the visitors and locals too. Dal is a photographers delight.

SHOPPING AND ACCOMMODATION

There are nice leather products, or jewelery. Cashmere (Pashmina) shawls have been manufactured in Kashmir for thousands of years. Pashmina Shawls are very popular items for sale in the Valley There are also embroidered felt mats called Namdahs but the colours of the wool may be a bit too bright in most shops.There are also chainstitch rugs in two styles - English design or Kilim design Carpets and Paper Machie products are also quite unique to Kashmir with colorful motifs and design on them. They are seen everywhere and resemble pottery in shape and design.

From European-style hotels to decorative houseboats, private guest houses and tourist huts, every facility is provided in Srinagar. It is just fabulous to enjoy staying at a luxury houseboat riding all around the lake in shikara, sitting in the balcony of the House boat viewing the beautiful landscape of Kashmir.